Judgment Call

By E.B. Roshan

Genre: Fiction/Speculative Romantic Suspense

Pages: 158

Via: Author Request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What does it mean to forgive someone? Are forgiveness and justice mutually exclusive? How? Why? When?

These are just a few of the thorny questions and issues swirling throughout this creative read by E.G. Roshan, Judgment Call.

The Basics

Preenalaya (“Preen”) is getting ready for the autumn fair in Duna. She’s also getting ready her wedding to Kiva, which is to take place in the New Year. But she’s still harboring feelings for her deceased first husband, Rama. And more than a little guilt over Rama’s untimely death.

Kiva has been in love with Preen all his life. He’s handsome and generous. But the thought of becoming his wife fills Kiva with dread—especially when men from her past—men who know too much—begin appearing in her peaceful town. It’s only a matter of time before her secrets are revealed.

So while Kiva and Preen will soon be husband and wife, will they ever be friends?

As Preen tries to fit the mismatched pieces of her life together – past and future, hill farm and ruined city, Kiva and Rama – she wonders “if even God could fix the mess I’d made.”

So do we. As each chapter glides smoothly into the next, we soon discover a strong story that’s both subtle and powerful.

Keeping Track

There are a lot of characters to keep track off. But the text includes a Cast of Characters so you don’t get lost. The POV shifts between Preen and Kiva, giving readers some valuable insight into both characters and their backstories. So stay alert. Or you can get lost. Fast.

Speaking of getting lost, this is one area where the background and structure could use some firming up. The world around these characters is not well defined. Without some anchor in the real world that readers can relate to, it’s easy to get confused. Like, okay, who was the Tur and why did he go to…? Who was and wasn’t in the refugee camp and why are they back? What happened to the second cousin en route to the second star to the right? And what’s up with Canada and the “European League”?

There are a lot of cities, territories, regions and competing cultures to sort through. Also feuding families/ civil war along the lines of the Montagues and the Capulets. Or maybe the Hatfields and the McCoys. Sometimes it feels like the setting is present day. Sometimes it feels 50 years ago. Maybe more.

And so on.

Themes

Regarding themes in this gently faith-flavored story, there are three main ones: Forgiveness. Second chances. Grace. While asking tough questions, the story neatly sidesteps canned answers and worn-out cliches.

At just under 160 pages, Judgment Call is a relatively short book. It can easily be read in an afternoon. The setting reminded me of Anatevka. Hi, Tevya. Sunrise, sunset…

A familiarity with prior books in the Shards of Sevia series would be helpful and a good refresher, especially if it’s been a while since you read prior installments. It’s a good story but not necessarily a great one. At least, not yet.

Judgment Call is Book 5 in Shards of Sevia, a speculative romantic suspense series. It completes the story that began in Final Chance.

Our Rating: 3.5

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E.B. Roshan has enjoyed a nomadic lifestyle for several years, living in the Middle East, Asia and various places in the U.S. Now she is temporarily settled near Philadelphia with her husband and children.

When she’s not cooking, cleaning, or correcting math homework, she’s writing the latest installment in Shards of Sevia, her ongoing romantic suspense series set in the war-torn (and fortunately fictional) nation of Sevia. To learn more about E.B. Roshan and the Shards of Sevia series, visit: https://shardsofsevia.wordpress.com